More Thanks...

It's been a couple of weeks since my last Thursday Thanks post.  I feel like it's a good time to take a moment and think... Picture: Adorable cardigan and bow tie I bought for Arthur from Colby Ave on Etsy.  This will be his Christmas outfit.  I just need to buy some nicer black or gray pants for him.

1. Crafting time -- I spent most of the day yesterday making Thank You cards from baby Arthur to friends and family for future baby gifts.  I wanted the personal touch.  And I really love them.  I made 16 and all 16 are different. My next project is to create the template for arrival cards.  I may be crazy to take on such a project, but I love my crafting time.

2. Maintenance guys -- We had another upstairs neighbor's bathroom leak and they were on it.  Because of their quick speed, no major damage was done.  The guys just need to replace the paint that had peeled off.  They are always so nice and courteous.  Love our maintenance guys and the fact that I don't have to deal with this crap.

3. J's parents --  The other week they randomly sent up a box of baby clothes and a cute little card.  I was not expecting those.  Really, I'm not expecting many gifts this time around, but if I do get them, they are definitely appreciated. Extra fun: the Carters onsies they sent us match a potential going home outfit that I've already bought.  Very cute!

4. Other bloggers -- Three bloggers that I follow just had their babies within the last two weeks.  I love reading about their experiences.  They help me get into the baby mode.

5. J's technical prowess -- Because of many issues, J thought it was time to change our hosting sites.  I don't know the first step in doing this.  Thankfully J is very knowledgeable, even when things did not go smoothly.  Hopefully. my readers didn't notice anything amiss, but I guarantee the backend was crazy looking.  We think everything's fine now.  And if it isn't, I live with techie...

Thursday Thanks Returns

I haven't done one of these posts in so long...  casualty of a very busy summer.  But it's back, so here are my current thanks. Picture: awesome chocolate caramel torte we had last week

1. Work confusion gone -- While I'm not super happy about the outcomes, I am thankful that all the confusion and craziness around my job has settled.  I have so much peace of mind from this.

2. Reading time -- I'm really enjoying getting back into reading for pleasure.  Loving it!

3. Great South Bay weather -- I love love love the weather around here.  I'm constantly hot because of the pregnancy, but the cooler temperatures let me live in relative comfort.

4. Sleep -- Having my mom and the boys around last week was so much fun.  But it's nice to get back to a regular sleep schedule in my own bed.

5. Lastly, a sad but hopeful thanks.  A friend and family was in a very bad car accident last week.  One involved died, another is in very serious condition, and another is recovering.  I am thankful for the light injuries of one and the continual improvement of another.  Keep fighting!

Thursdays are for Thanks

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.

1) Decaf k-cups at work -- I know I shouldn't be drinking much caffeine, but I still crave coffee.  Work stocks Hazelnut Decaf for the Keurig.  I just make myself a mug and trick myself into thinking it's actually caffeinated.  So far, it's working.

2) Flattering non-maternity clothing -- Why is maternity clothing so expensive?  Okay, I know why, but it still irks me.  I'm just grateful for lots of other stores for flattering reasonably priced clothing.  Especially loving H&M tunics/dresses and Vera Wang for Kohl's dresses.

3) Naturebox -- We finally took the plunge and signed up for the monthly subscription.  I am really digging these snacks.  We just filled out our request for this month.  I can't wait to get the next box.

4) Crafting friends -- I really look forward to my Stamp Club and crafting classes.  All the ladies are so nice, helpful, and fun!  I'm loving my crafting time...

And the biggest thanks of this week goes to...

5) My little baby boy Arthur Dent in utero -- We finally found out that we're having a boy.  He cooperated during the ultrasound, showing us everything, and yes, I do mean everything.  His growth looks good.  We're on track for a October 15th-ish debut.

Thanks for All the Fish

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my Thankful Thursday.

1) Sleep -- I seem to have gotten rid of my insomnia (at least for the moment)

2) Food -- My pregnancy induced food aversions seem to have abated.  I am loving being able to eat different food again.

3) A supporting boss -- Loving the help that I'm getting at work.

4) Paychecks -- It may seem trite, but I am excited and thankful for getting a paycheck again.  I can pay off some bills, prepay the boys' summer camps, and put away some money for vacation and the coming baby.

5) Dark chocolate covered pomegranate -- Work resupplied some the snacks downstairs.  I made a fun trail mix of almonds, dried coconut, dried cranberries, and the best part, dark chocolate covered pomegranates.  Those things are heavenly.

Thanks for the Memories...

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my Thankful Thursday.

1) The desk clerk at American Airlines -- for warning me that I might get stuck overnight at O'Hare if I tried to fly out on Monday night.  Thank you for saving my body from an uncomfortable night.

2) Job progress -- Last week was a crazy mess, but things are moving in a good direction.

3) The Nerdist -- For keeping me entertaining while traveling and during down times at work.  I find myself laughing out loud in fairly inappropriate situations (every time the floor at work gets really quiet, I burst out laughing).  It's just awesome!

4) That friends of friends in the Boston marathon are safe and sound.

5) New Doctor Who!!!!!! -- Thank you Steven Moffat for awesome writing!

Thanks on Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my Thankful Thursday.

1) Friends and Family -- For all the lovely birthday wishes.

2) Caffeine -- I am attempting to cut way back on my caffeine intake (health reasons), and yet I find I need a bit every couple of days still.  I'm still grateful for my chemically induced energy and euphoria.  I can't completely shake it yet.

3) California weather -- Every March 5th (my birthday!), no matter what it was like on March 4, was crappy weather-wise.  It snowed, sleeted, dropped 40 degrees, or thunderstormed.  I've never had awesome weather on my birthday.  But this year, everything changed.  I live in California.  I was treated to sunshine and temps hanging out around 60. It was a little chilly to lounge by the pool, but I did enjoy some reading time on the balcony.  So nice!

4) New possibilities -- Some new developments are on the horizon.  We have to wait awhile to see how they progress, but I am hopeful for some positive changes in my life.  I'll let everyone know when things are certain...

5) Zombie movies -- For my birthday treat, I indulged in a week-long zombie movie marathon.  I love my zombie movies and it was nice to watch a ton throughout the week.  Can't wait for The Walking Dead marathon we are planning on this weekend.  Should be a lot of fun!

Thanks to You

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my Thankful Thursday.

1) Peppermint and ginger -- I have been very nauseated lately, but these flavored hard candies seem to keep it down.

2) Crafting friends -- I had two amazing nights crafting this week.  I love the hobby and the ladies are so nice.

3) Old 80s movies -- J had introduced me to some great ones this past week.

4) Books -- Feeling sick, books are my only friend.

5) Gummy bears -- Another trick to keeping the nausea down.  Sucking on a gummy bear seems to help and they are oh-so delicious.

Thanks Abound

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.

1) Peet's Coffe and Tea at Boudin SF -- A friend and I stopped here for lunch and I got so excited that they serve Peet's.  I love Peet's.  Just wish the closest branch was closer.  A mile is a bit far to walk to get coffee, especially when it's really hot.

2) My friend for inviting me to see a local author speak at the library -- I've been wanting to go to more bookish events, but feel weird going alone.  So excited that I could go with someone.  And the author, Laurie King, was amazing.  Now I need to read all her books.

3) Great books -- They have the ability to pull me out of a depressive cycle.  Thank you authors for writing great books!

4) Amazon -- Found our book club book for a decent price.  I'm on a book buying ban and don't really want to spend much money on these.  Thank you random third party store for selling through Amazon.

5) The Internet -- For being able settle disagreements...

T-Ts

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.

1) An opportunity -- A crafting friend asked me to help her with a team building exercise she was contracted to do.  It was nice to help other with card making.  Interesting morning.

2) Good Things list -- I started listing one positive things per day in my Book of Lists.  It's helping me stay positive.

3) Beautiful sunshine --After the cold and dreary Midwest, the warmer temps and sunshine is really putting me in a better mood.

4) A Winter's Respite Readathon -- Thanks to Michelle @ The True Book Addict for hosting this great winter readathon.

5) Crafting supplies -- Ready to get back to crafting.  Love rediscovering my crafting supplies.

Thankfuls 2013

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.

1) A healthy J -- He's been sick since I got back from Indiana.

2) California weather -- The frigid Midwest is just not me

3) Crafting friends -- Tuesday night class was just so much fun

4) New crafting friends -- Hoping to see some of the ladies I met at another class

5) Evernote -- Making my blog planning and writing so much more organized

Thankful Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.

1) Chili -- I was missing the Midwest fall.  I was missing the apple cider, bonfires, and chili.  I wanted to feel a bit of home (California doesn't quite feel like home yet).  So I made chili and it was glorious.  Sunnyvale even graced me with cooler temps (low 60s) to enjoy my spicy chili and cornbread.

2) My grandma -- Every time I send her a card, she sends a thank you note back.  Even with her bad arthritis, she takes the time to write me a note back.  Don't tell her, but for Christmas I made her a huge stack of homemade cards to use.

3) J for accepting my crazy random thoughts -- Lately every time we watch a show, I must nitpick about something.  Usually that something has something to do with the law.  Last week we were watching the episode of The West Wing (S3) where Donna finds out she isn't American anymore.  This led to me asking a ton of questions about citizenship jus soli (by soil).  I had to go on to Wikipedia to find some detailed answers.  The entire time J encouraged my crazy behavior until I had answers.  The result: we both think the writers failed to fully explain the circumstances and that even if her town isn't in America anymore, those residents before the transfer would retain citizenship.  Yeah I know, crazy.

4) Thanksgiving -- I'm almost a week away from flying back to Indiana and spending time with family and friends.  Thanksgiving gives me the opportunity to spend some time there, but more importantly to be with my boys.  I miss them terribly.

5) The recent elections -- Whether or not I voted for the current people in office, I am thankful to be able to vote and voice my opinion.

Thanks on Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  This week's thankfulness... Medical emergency addition.  After my medical issues last week, I have some thanks specific to those events.

1) Paramedics -- I had to travel to the hospital in an ambulance and it was one of the scariest things I've ever had to do in my life.  Thankfully my two paramedics were very calming and efficient.

2) Nurses -- Every nurse that I dealt with was just awesome.  They each had the right mix of efficiency and caring to keep me calm and collected for most of my stay.

3) My doctor -- While I didn't see my doctor during the ER visit, he did perform my surgical procedure last Thursday.  And I must say that I love how he handled it.  I've heard some horror OB stories.  And I've even had some bad OBs (in the past), but my current is great.

4) Random OB nurse at outpatient procedure center --The center is very efficient and pretty straight forward, but I loved my prep nurse.  She actually took the time to talk to me about how I was feeling (not just the physical) and what was going to happen.  I don't remember her name, but she should be commended for her work.

5) Friends and family -- Throughout all this ordeal, I have had great support of friends and family.  It's been so great to hear other stories.  I'm not alone in this situation.  Thank you for being there.  And hopefully my next medical situation will be a happy one.

Thanks on Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  This week's thankfulness...

1) Books -- I am always amazed how a book can transport me from my stressful life into another fascinating (and sometimes scary) world.  I completely lost myself in books.  I love that feeling.  Although, I am always a little sad when a book ends.

2) Good health -- So far this California climate agrees with me.  Aside from a few allergy sniffles, I haven't been sick at all.

3) Summer with the boys -- Even though they can be downright crazy some days, I'm loving every day with the boys this summer.  We've had some great adventures and have a few more planned.

4) Donuts --  The donut place across the street fries their donuts in palm oil.  They are the best donuts I've ever had.  And they're huge.  And they're very reasonably priced.  Yummy!

5) Great America's The Magic Hat magicians -- On our first trip to GA, N and I had the chance to be the finale for the magic show.  I think N really loved being in the spotlight and "disappearing" his mom.  We're really loving that amusement park.

Thanks on Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  This week's thankfulness...

1) Cupertino, CA -- For having fireworks so we didn't have to fight our way up to the city to see some fireworks.  We sat in a nice park enjoying the beautiful weather.  The best part was we returned home in 30 minutes.

2) California weather -- While the midwest and my hometown has been experiencing 100+ degree weather, we've had temperatures hovering in the low 70s.  It's just gorgeous around here...

3) J's motivation -- The other day he moved all of the other boxes hanging out in the office into the closet.  We can now walk into the office without fear of dying from box injuries.  I love it!

4) Sunnyvale Library -- The boys are loving having a great library close to the house.  We visit weekly.  And last week they finally noticed that they could get movies.  We stocked up.

5) Half Price Books -- While it's all the way in Fremont (~20 minutes away), we have one.  And they are hosting a summer reading program for kids.  The boys read over 300 minutes in June and received their $5 gift cards.  They were so excited to actually earn some money to then spend on books. Thank you for giving kids the motivation and rewards for reading.

Thanks on Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  This week's thankfulness...

1) Almond Cappunccinos -- I routinely go to the Bean Scene Cafe about 1 1/2 blocks from the apartment.  And because of the temps, I usually order an iced mocha.  Only today I ordered a hot almond cappuccino and it was delicious!  I think I found my new fave drink.

2) My new iPad -- J bought me an iPad!  And I've already downloaded my apps and few books.  I've even read one already (Anna Dressed in Blood).  And today I took it to the coffeehouse instead of my MacBook Air (not that the computer isn't light).  Loving the small size!

3) Stargate Atlantis -- J got me hooked on Stargate SGU and now we've moved onto Atlantis.  I really really like this series.  It's basically our daily tv watching,  a few episodes before bed.  I don't know what we're going to do when we finish the series.  Oh yeah, we have Stargate Universe and 100s more tvs shows on the Apple TV.

4) Target -- I finally found a cheap summer dress.  Thank you clearance racks at Target.

5) Rain -- It rained this week for the first time since we've moved.  Everyone I met was complaining about how it was so miserable and cold (65 degrees!).  I loved the little bit of rain while i read on my balcony.  Now we wait for a month for another rainstorm.

Thankful Thursday

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my first Thankful Thursday.

1) Complex Pool -- Our new home has a wonderful complex swimming pool that I use almost daily.  It's heated year round so I can swim any time.  I love it.  And it's helping with my attempt at daily workouts.

2) My bike -- J bought me a bike two weekends ago.  It has widened my scope of the neighborhood.  Now I love jumping on my bike and pedaling to the library or bank or grocery store or just around.  This has allowed us to get by with just one car.  Less bills!  and more exercise for me!

3) Our Apple TV -- I love being able to power up the TV and watch just about anything we have (which is a lot).  Right now I'm trying to finish Chuck.

4) Sunshine --  We used to live in the Midwest, where clouds cover the sky most days.  We have now moved to the town of Sunnyvale.  That's right, Sunnyvale.  This sunshine is just glorious.

5) Sunglasses -- Because of #4, I bought prescription sunglasses before we moved to California.  Thank goodness I did.  I never leave the house without these on.  Plus the extra coating helps protect my eyes.  Good things all around.